Trigeminal neuralgia is classically described as one of the most severe facial pain syndromes. Usually it is defined as a paroxysmal, lancinating, electric-type pain, recurrent and usually unilateral, in the distribution of one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Typical trigeminal pain is characterized by intermittent, generally with periods of exacerbation and remission. The annual incidence of this pathology varies between 4 and 13 per 100, 000 individuals. The male:female ratio is 1:1.5. Although cause of trigeminal neuralgia is idiopatic, exist cases associated to compression of the trigeminal nerve by a vascular structure or tumors. Epidermoid cysts are tumors of embryological origin that are located in cerebellopontine angle in third place after schwannomas and meningiomas. Three cases of trigeminal neuralgia in relation to epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle compressing the trigeminal
nerve are presented. Clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, surgical treatment and postoperative results are discussed. 
 

Key words: Trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal nerve, epidermoid cyst, neuropathic pain, cerebellopontineangle.